The-O Network - Displaying items by tag: Japan Expo USA 2013

Fresh off the release of their latest single, "W.W.D. II" on iTunes, we were privileged to have an opportunity to interview the up-and-coming Japanese pop group Dempagumi.inc while at Japan Expo 2013. Known for being former hikikomoris in Japan, these charming ladies have found a way to step out of their comfort zones to start walking on the path towards becoming an international success. Find out all about their aspirations, chock-full of colorful personalities, as we discuss their more recently released products including the Dempa Models x 100 Cosplay photo book and upcoming film Shiromajo Gakuen.

While there was clearly an industry presence at Japan Expo USA, we were surprised to find Studio Bones there with a booth as a part of Bandai Visual. Masahiko Minami, the President of Bones was present at the event as a Guest of Honor.

Bones was promoting one of their newest series, Space Dandy is directed by Shinichiro Watanabe who many Americans will recognized for his work on the much celebrated Cowboy Beebop and Samurai Champloo. Bones had on display several preproduction art (genga and douga) from Space Dandy along with a trailer (which can now be viewed inside/below this post) and productions tills along the wall. Space Dandy follows the story of an alien hunter, Dandy, who's job is to seek out new life to collect bounties.

Viewers who have seen the 2009 anime movie REDLINE will notice some similarities in style such as the funky space theme and colorful palette and we are definitely excited for it. Check out inside for the photos we took of the booth!

Last month's Japan Expo USA was the organization's first time hosting an anime convention in the United States, and it was a resounding success! With their high-profile list of Guests of Honor, fans had a special opportunity to meet some of their favorite mangaka and video game professionals from Japan. Join us as we sit down for a memorable chat with renown character designer and mangaka Yoshiyuki Sadamoto as we discuss some of the more philosophical aspects of Evangelion.

One of the first exciting guest announced for Japan Expo was character designer and mangaka Yusuke Kozaki who also goes under the pen name of KYMG. Like most American fans, I had first noticed his uniquely stylish art from the 2005 anime Speed Grapher. Mr Kozaki's presence in America was solidified with his video game character design work for the over the top stylish No More Heroes series and more recently, the best seller Fire Emblem Awakening. Apart from his character design works, Mr. Kozaki has created several short mangaka series in during his career including his more recent title, Donyatsu.

In the short time we were able to speak with him, hear a little about his art preferences, where the story for Donyatsu came from along with an inside look at the character creation process for Fire Emblem Awakening!

We've got the entire Q&A panel for famed video game composer Noriyuki Iawadare and artist Tatsuro Iwamoto's full Q&A panel from Japan Expo 2013! Both men has worked together on the popular Nintendo Ace Attorney series!

Hosting its inaugural anime convention in the United States, Japan Expo USA treated its convention attendees to a number of high-profile Guests of Honor ranging from the video game industry legends to infamous mangaka from Japan. We had a special opportunity to sit down with the Art Director for the Ace Attorney series and Clover Studio's Okami, Tatsuro Iwamoto! Join us as we learn about which characters he loves to draw, what he thinks about his creations come-to-life and which character he identifies with the most!

Hosting its inaugural anime convention in the United States, Japan Expo USA treated its convention attendees to a number of high-profile Guests of Honor ranging from the video game industry legends to infamous mangaka from Japan. We had a special opportunity to sit down with Ace Attorney series and Lunar: the Silver Star Story composer Noriyuki Iwadare while he was here to perform a few concerts with his band in front of his many adoring fans. Find out what inspired the man's brilliant musical career and a little bit about his upcoming soundtrack for Ace Attorney 5: Dual Destinies, soon to be released in English later this year!

Japan Expo, a festival showcasing Japanese culture that annually takes place in Paris, France, recently made its debut in the United States. Known as Japan Expo USA, it was held at the Santa Clara Convention in Santa Clara, California from August 23rd to the 25th. Among the many international guests who made the trip oversea, renown video game composer Noriyuki Iwadare made quite an impression – particularly in terms of his concert.